CATL Battery Swapping Network to Power Heavy-Duty Trucks Across Europe with Octopus Energy

The CATL Battery Swapping Network is set to enter the European market through a newly announced joint venture with Octopus Energy. The collaboration aims to deploy CATL's Qiji battery-swapping technology for heavy-duty electric trucks, significantly improving the speed and efficiency of energy replenishment for commercial transport operations. The initial deployment will focus on the United Kingdom, where both companies intend to establish a foundation for a larger battery-swapping ecosystem that supports logistics, freight movement, and commercial fleet electrification.

Joint Venture Targets European Heavy-Duty Truck Electrification

Under the agreement, CATL and Octopus Energy will jointly develop a dedicated battery-swapping network designed specifically for heavy-duty trucks operating across Europe. The partnership will introduce CATL's Qiji battery-swapping technology to the region, allowing commercial vehicles to replace depleted battery packs with fully charged units in a significantly shorter time than conventional charging methods. By improving vehicle availability and minimizing downtime, the companies aim to make electric trucking more practical for long-haul transport and demanding logistics applications.

UK Demonstration Network Planned by 2027

The first phase of the project calls for the construction of demonstration battery-swapping stations throughout the UK by 2027. Deployment will initially prioritize major trunk motorways and strategic logistics ports where heavy freight traffic is concentrated. These early installations will validate operational performance while supporting commercial fleets that require rapid energy replenishment. The demonstration network is expected to provide valuable experience before wider expansion across additional transport corridors.

Expansion Strategy Through 2035

According to the announced roadmap, the battery-swapping infrastructure will continue growing over the following years. By 2035, the network is expected to exceed 30 battery-swapping stations, extending beyond England to include Scotland and Wales. This broader geographic coverage is intended to support long-distance freight operations while strengthening the infrastructure needed for electric commercial transportation throughout the UK.

Commercial Applications Across Logistics Operations

Once the network becomes operational, it will deliver battery-swapping services for a broad range of commercial users, including logistics companies, port operators, retail businesses, and privately managed vehicle fleets. The partners also intend to install battery-swapping stations within large distribution centers, enabling additional urban delivery applications. Integrating this infrastructure into major logistics hubs is expected to improve operational efficiency while supporting wider adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks.

Project Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CATL Battery Swapping Network?
The CATL Battery Swapping Network is a planned infrastructure project that enables heavy-duty electric trucks to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones instead of waiting for conventional charging. The initiative uses CATL's Qiji battery-swapping technology and is being developed with Octopus Energy for deployment across the UK and eventually other parts of Europe. The objective is to reduce vehicle downtime, improve operational efficiency, and support broader adoption of electric commercial transport.

When will the first battery-swapping stations be available?
The first demonstration battery-swapping stations are scheduled to be established in the United Kingdom by 2027 as part of the initial rollout phase. Early deployment will focus on major trunk motorways and important logistics ports where freight traffic is highest. These sites will help validate the technology while serving logistics operators, commercial fleets, and other businesses before the network expands to more than 30 locations by 2035.

Who will benefit from the new battery-swapping infrastructure?
The battery-swapping network is intended to support organizations operating heavy-duty electric trucks by providing faster and more efficient energy replenishment services. Expected users include logistics companies, port operators, retail businesses, and private fleets. The partners also plan to integrate battery-swapping stations into large distribution centers, creating additional opportunities for urban delivery operations while improving fleet productivity and reducing operational interruptions.